"I am helping my girlfriend apply for her immigration visa and need a way to print off our conversations as a form of evidence that we are in a relationship. I have had a search but it is difficult to find anything out there that doesn't save backups as a human unreadable file."
- From Reddit
Want to export text messages from Android to PDF for legal purposes, sentimental reasons, or simply for record-keeping? Anyway, you can save and convert your SMS from your Android phone to PDF to ensure they remain organized and printable. Go ahead and get the solutions.
- Part 1: How to Export Text Messages from Android to PDF via iReaShare Android Manager
- Part 2: How to Save Text Messages to PDF Using SMS Backup & Restore
- Part 3: How to Save Text Messages as PDF via Microsoft Word
- Part 4: How to Convert Text Messages to PDF via SMS Backup, Print & Restore
- Part 5: How to Download Text Messages from Android and Save to PDF via Email
- Part 6: FAQs About Exporting Messages to PDF on Android
Take a quick look at these methods:
| Feature/Method | iReaShare Android Manager | SMS Backup & Restore | Microsoft Word | SMS Backup, Print & Restore | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batch Export | Yes (Allows multiple conversations/all) | Yes (Backs up all or selected conversations) | No (Manual, per conversation) | Yes (Allows multiple conversations) | No (Manual, per conversation) |
| Supported Format(s) | HTML, XML, TXT, BAK, and CSV (Access and convert to PDF easily) | XML | DOC, DOCX (Save to PDF) | PDF, WORD, EXCEL, CSV, JPG, HTML, and TXT | Save as PDF |
| Ease of Use | Easy (Computer-based) | Easy (App-based) | Moderate | Easy (App-based, direct PDF option) | Easy |
| Select Messages | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Requires PC | Yes | Optional (For XML to PDF conversion) | Yes | No (Can save PDF on phone directly) | Yes (For convenient PDF saving) |
| Cost | Paid (Trial version available) | Free (with ads), Paid (ad-free) | Paid (Included with Microsoft Office) | Free (with limits), Paid (Premium) | Free (using existing email service) |
| Best For | Comprehensive data management, large backup and data transfer | Regular backups, restoring to new phone | Specific, short conversations, customized formatting | Direct PDF creation, printing for records | Quick export of single, short conversations |
| Notes | Requires USB debugging, offers more features than just SMS | XML needs external conversion to PDF; excellent for overall message backup | Time-consuming for large message volumes; formatting is manual | Offers various output formats (PDF, HTML, CSV, etc.); often has a limit in free version | Best for occasional, small exports; formatting can be basic |
Part 1: How to Export Text Messages from Android to PDF via iReaShare Android Manager
"How do I save text messages as PDF on Android?" Maybe it's difficult to directly export your messages to PDF on your Android device, but it doesn't mean you can't do that with the help of iReaShare Android Manager. This computer-based software allows you to selectively export your desired text messages from your Android device, and save them in an accessible format like XML, TXT, HTML, etc. Then you can easily convert the file to PDF.
Main features of iReaShare Android Manager:
* Display all your Android text messages on your computer for preview.
* Allow you to select the messages you want to export directly.
* Transfer your text messages to your computer for backup.
* Receive and send messages on your computer with a large screen.
* Manage and transfer Android contacts, call logs, photos, apps, videos, music, etc.
* Back up and restore Android data in 1 click.
* USB and Wi-Fi connections are available.
* Support Android 6.0 and later.
Download the iReaShare Android Manager software.
Download for Win Download for Mac
Here's how to export text messages from Android to PDF:
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Install iReaShare Android Manager on your computer, and then connect your Android phone to the computer with USB. Or you can connect both devices with the same Wi-Fi network. Launch the software.
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It will prompt you to enable the USB debugging mode on your Android device. Please follow the on-screen guide to complete it. Then the connection will be done.
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Choose "SMS" and preview your text messages. Check your target messages, click "Export", and choose a file format and a location to save your SMS.
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Once done, navigate to the file, and open it with a browser, like Chrome. Then click the "Menu" icon on the top right corner, and choose "Print". Opt for "Save as PDF" next to the "Destination" option, and click "Save". Then your messages will be saved as a PDF file.
Part 2: How to Save Text Messages to PDF Using SMS Backup & Restore
SMS Backup & Restore is a popular and highly-rated Android app that excels at backing up and restoring text messages. While it primarily creates XML backups, you can use a secondary step to convert these to PDF.
Here's how to convert text messages to PDF on Android via this app:
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Download and install SMS Backup & Restore from the Google Play Store on your Android phone. Open the app and tap "SET UP A BACKUP". Follow the prompts to enable the "Messages" option. If you want to select specific conversations, please choose "Selected conversations only".
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Tap "NEXT", and choose where you want to save the backup file (Google Drive, Dropbox, or your phone's internal storage). The app will create an XML file containing your messages.
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Open the XML file in a web browser on your Android phone, and then click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Choose "Share" > "Print".
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In the print preview screen, locate the destination dropdown menu. Then choose "Save as PDF", and tap "Save". The PDF file will be saved in the "Downloads" folder on your Android phone.
Part 3: How to Save Text Messages as PDF via Microsoft Word
Using Microsoft Word is best for a few select conversations rather than your entire message history, as it involves manual copying and pasting. You can directly copy and paste the message content to a Word file, or take screenshots of your messages (if you need the timestamp) and add the pictures to a Word file.
Here's how to save text messages as PDF on Android via Word:
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Open the messaging app on your Android phone. Open the conversation you want to save. You can usually long-press on a message to select it, then select other messages in the conversation, and finally tap the "Copy text" icon.
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Open a new document in Microsoft Word on your computer. Paste the copied text messages into the document. Once done, go to "File" > "Save As", choose "PDF" as the "Save as type", and select your desired location.
Part 4: How to Convert Text Messages to PDF via SMS Backup, Print & Restore
SMS Backup, Print & Restore, distinct from the previous one that creates XML, is another app designed to simplify the process of saving messages, often with a direct PDF export option.
Here's how to convert text messages to PDF with this app:
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Download and install SMS Backup, Print & Restore from Google Play. The app will require permissions to access your SMS messages. Grant these when prompted.
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Once inside the app, it will load all your SMS conversations. Browse through the list and tap on the conversation(s) you want to back up or export. You can select individual messages or entire threads.
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After selecting a conversation, tap the three-dot menu or the "Export/Print" icon.
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Click "Export to PDF". Before exporting, you can choose various layout options, such as font size, etc. Then tap "Export" and choose where to save the PDF file.
Part 5: How to Download Text Messages from Android and Save to PDF via Email
You can manually copy your text messages to an email, and then send the email to yourself. Then you can easily save it as a PDF file.
Here are the detailed steps:
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Open your Messages app on your Android device, and navigate to the conversations you want to convert. Then select the messages.
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Copy the messages, and open the Mail app. Then paste the content to the email.
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Enter your email address, and send it to yourself. Go to your computer, and log in to the same email account with your browser. Then open the email, and click "Print all" on the upper right.
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Choose "Save as PDF" on the popup window, and click "Save" at the bottom. You will get the PDF file.
Part 6: FAQs About Exporting Messages to PDF on Android
Q1: Can I directly export an entire text conversation on Android?
Yes, you can directly export an entire text conversation on Android, but not using the built-in Android Messages app alone. You'll need to use a dedicated tool like iReaShare Android Manager, which supports selectively exporting Android messages.
Q2: Can I print out text messages from Android directly?
Yes, if you don't want to use a computer, you can directly take screenshots of your text messages, and then connect your Android device to a printer. Next, you can print the screenshots of the messages directly. However, you cannot print your SMS with the Messages app.
Q3: How long does it take to export messages to PDF?
It depends on the number of your messages, type of content (text only vs. media), and the device performance. In general, it takes a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
Conclusion
Exporting text messages on Android to PDF offers peace of mind and convenience. You can easily print it if needed. iReaShare Android Manager allows you to export your text messages to your computer as an accessible format, and then you can convert them to PDF without effort. It also helps you back up your Android data, transfer and manage files, and restore data from backups to Android. So, give it a shot.
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